Author: Pawas Gupta

As we embark on the long-awaited national referendum to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Australian Constitution, the AH&MRC reaffirms its support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

The 2017 Uluru Statement from the Heart called for:

• Constitutional recognition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;
• Makarrata (agreement making/ treaties); and
• Truth-telling.

As the Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Peak Body in New South Wales, the AH&MRC works to support thriving and empowered Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. We recognise that the achievement of this vision will require significant work to address the structural problems that have created the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

The AH&MRC notes that shared decision making, and self-determination are core tenets of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, to which the Commonwealth, State and Territory governments are signatories.  The National Agreement acknowledges that our people have faced disadvantage, political exclusion, intergenerational trauma and institutional racism. It emphasises the need for a fundamental shift to a system in which our people are engaged as equal partners, acknowledging that we are best placed to make decision for our communities.

The AH&MRC also believes that the mechanism for operationalising Constitutional recognition under the Uluru Statement, must be developed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and not dictated by government.

It is high time that we as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a say in the matters that impact on us.

In Solidarity

AH&MRC NSW

AHMRC Position Statement – The Voice

The Strengthening Medicare Taskforce recently released its final Report, with recommendations for reforms to the funding and delivery of primary care. The taskforce was convened in July 2022, to provide recommendations to government on:

• improving patient access to general practice, including after hours;
• improving patient access to GP-led multidisciplinary team care, including nursing and allied health;
• making primary care more affordable for patients;
• improving prevention and management of ongoing and chronic conditions; and
• reducing pressure on hospitals.

Its work is backed by the government’s $750 million Strengthening Medicare Fund.

The AH&MRC broadly supports the Taskforce’s recommendations. In December 2022, our organisation released a Medicare Position Statement, which highlighted the challenges faced by Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCHOs) under the current Medicare system, which does not adequately reimburse them for the comprehensive, primary health services they provide.

The AH&MRC was pleased to note the Taskforce’s recognition of the vital role of Aboriginal health workers and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services in the provision of primary care. The Report particularly notes the need for funding systems to support team-based models of care, allowing providers such as ACCHOs to employ core teams and leverage flexible funding approaches that facilitate place-based solutions.

The Committee’s recommendations include:

• Supporting general practice in management of complex chronic disease through blended funding models integrated with fee-for-service, with funding for longer consultations and incentives that better promote quality bundles of care for people who need it most.
• Supporting better continuity of care, a strengthened relationship between the patient and their care team, and more integrated, person-centered care through introduction of voluntary patient registration.
• Growing and investing in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) to commission primary care services for their communities, building on their expertise and networks in local community need.
• Developing new funding models that are locally relevant for sustainable rural and remote practice in collaboration with people, providers and communities.
• Fast-tracking work to improve the supply and distribution of GPs, rural generalists, nurses, nurse practitioners and midwives, pharmacists, allied health, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers and other primary care professionals.
• Supporting local health system integration and person-centred acre through Primary Health Networks (PHNs) working with Local Hospital Networks, local practices, ACCHOs, pharmacies and other partners to facilitate integration of specialist and hospital services with primary care.

This report is a step in the right direction, however, the AH&MRC notes that the Committee’s recommendations are broad in nature and extensive work will need to be done by government to develop a robust reform program. Our sector wants to see a commitment from government to increase the rebate. We also note that without investment into ACCHO workforce and infrastructure, reforms to the Medicare system will have little impact.

The AH&MRC awaits the government’s response.

MEDIA RELEASE_Strengthening Medicare Taskforce Report Released

The auDA Foundation has announced recipients of its $40,000 2022 Grant for an education, research or community project that will enhance the utility of the internet for the benefit of Australians. The Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council (AH&MRC) was announced as one of the recipients.

AH&MRC is the peak body of ACCHOs in NSW and when it comes to conducting ethically and moral research, the one problem is shared research amongst all ACCHO’s and in real-time. This dashboard would help with all areas of research, create best practices in data management and benefit ACCHOs and in turn the First Nations communities that they service.

AH&MRC will use the findings from this research project for the creation of data analytics tools, that is developed for ACCHOs to assist in improving all areas of health for First Nations communities, which in time will potentially create a pathway for First Nations data sovereignty by creating an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Dashboard.

David Roberts Director of Innovation and Training states “We are in a unique position to work with our members in conducting research to assist the development of an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Dashboard. We will use the findings from this research for the creation of a data analytics tool to assist in improving the holistic health of First Nations communities of NSW.” 

This project will start in the planning phase in the second half of 2023 and will launch in 2024.

MEDIA RELEASE_Auda Foundation Grant winners